Between their experience, continuity, and the watered-down state of the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks appear well-positioned for a potential 2026 NBA Finals run. Still, franchise icon Carmelo Anthony has reservations about Jalen Brunson and Co.’s viability as a true championship threat.
New York has gotten off to a relatively slow start to the 2025-26 season, dropping to 2–2 after Tuesday’s 121–111 road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The team is still adjusting to new coach Mike Brown’s fast-paced offensive system while navigating multiple injuries, most notably star big man Karl-Anthony Towns’ nagging right quadriceps strain.
Despite encountering early turbulence, the Knicks remain anchored by the core of last season’s East finals squad, the franchise’s first in 25 years, and have bolstered their depth. Meanwhile, two of their biggest intraconference rivals, the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers, are missing their top players, clearing a path for them to take the next step.
How Does Carmelo Anthony View the Knicks’ 2026 NBA Title Chances?
In an interview with NBA insider Marc Stein released on Tuesday, Anthony bluntly weighed in on New York’s prospects of capturing its third championship and first since 1973.
“I don’t know about winning one. I think the opportunity for them to get to the Finals … they have that opportunity,” Anthony began. “Now winning, that’s something different, winning a championship. But I will say, I like the Knicks’ chances of coming out of the East.”
The Hall of Famer believes the Knicks’ recent playoff battles, having reached at least the second round in three straight years, could serve them well, provided they find their rhythm under Brown.
“I think they had an opportunity to take some bumps and bruises over the past couple of seasons, and hopefully they learn from that,” Anthony said. “I think they learned from those mistakes that they’ve made, and they’ve gotten better. Those guys are a year older. They’re more mature. They love playing with each other. We’re going to see what this new system is with Mike Brown.”
New York currently ranks among the top four teams in most 2026 title odds, with the Cleveland Cavaliers projected to be their primary competition out East. That said, the Western Conference boasts significantly more firepower, chiefly the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets, headlined by the league’s last two MVPs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić.
Given that the Knicks would likely enter the Finals as underdogs regardless of their opponent, simply making it that far for the first time since 1999 may be considered a success.
